Pulmonary tuberculosis

Alternative names:

TB; tuberculosis - pulmonary

Symptoms:

• Initially not apparent, or limited to minor cough and mild fever.
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Coughing up blood
• Slight fever and night sweats

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Wheezing
• Rales
• Sweating, excessive
• Joint pain
• Hearing loss
• Diarrhea
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulty
• Clubbing of the fingers or toes

Signs and tests:

Examination of the lungs by stethoscope (auscultation) reveals crackles.

Tests often include:

• Chest X-ray
• Sputum cultures
• Tuberculin skin test
• Bronchoscopy
• Open lung biopsy

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial